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Seven position players join pitchers, catchers in Florida

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle discusses the team's goals during Spring Training and how the rotation is affected by the loss of A.J. Burnett

By Tom Singer
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MLB.com |

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Everyone was present and accounted for on the first day of the Pirates' Spring Training, with pitchers and catchers scoring 100 percent at roll call.

Thirty-six batterymen, including non-roster invitees, were in-house. Newcomer Edinson Volquez, who was in town but didn't make it to camp on Wednesday's report day, was one of the first in the Pirate City locker room Thursday morning.

They underwent the routine entrance physicals, and field workouts began around 12:30 p.m. ET.

"We are in a good place with the physical presence of the guys here," manager Clint Hurdle said after the workouts. "They are excited and eager to go. The angst we felt after Game 5 [of the National League Division Series] in St. Louis, we earned that. And we're definitely looking forward to taking the next step.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.